NJSBA Family Law Section

Hello list mates,

Received an Enforcement Motion this morning but the attorney drafted and signed the Certification and not her client.  I recall having this happen once before in the past but cannot recall if permitted.  The attorney also captioned the Certification as a "Certification in Lieu of Brief."  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 

Best,

Eric

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Eric Hannum Esq.
Jackson NJ
(732)370-9596
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Eric,

This is not permitted.  See Rule 1:6-6.  The comments state, "Affidavits by attorneys of facts not based on their personal knowledge but related to them by and within the primary knowledge of their clients constitute objectionable hearsay."  Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, comment 1 on R. 1:6-6 at 87 (2011), citing Murray v. Allstate Ins. Co., 209 N.J. Super. 163, 169 (App. Div. 1986); Cafferata v. Peyser, 251 N.J. Super. 256, 263-264 (App. Div. 1991); Venner v. Allstate, 306 N.J. Super. 106, 111 (App. Div. 1997); State (County of Bergen) v. Polanca, 332 N.J. Super.. 436, 441 (App. Div.), certif. den. 165 N.J. 604 (2000); Jameson v. Great Atlantic, 363 N.J. Super. 419, 427 (App. Div. 2003), certif.. den. 179 N.J. 309 (2004); Higgins v. Thurber, 413 N.J. Super. 1, 21 n.1 (App. Div. 2010). 

Additionally, “The requirements of the rule also are not met by affidavits containing arguments, other forms of hearsay and general factual or legal conclusions.”  Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, comment 1 on R. 1:6-6 at 87 (2011).  See also N.J.R.E. 801 – 808.

Hope this helps, I've had this issue on multiple occasions and the Judges have always disregarded the Attorney's Certifications.  

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Gregory Thomlison Esq.
Toms River NJ
(732)736-8100
------------------------------

Eric,

This is not permitted.  See Rule 1:6-6.  The comments state, "Affidavits by attorneys of facts not based on their personal knowledge but related to them by and within the primary knowledge of their clients constitute objectionable hearsay."  Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, comment 1 on R. 1:6-6 at 87 (2011), citing Murray v. Allstate Ins. Co., 209 N.J. Super. 163, 169 (App. Div. 1986); Cafferata v. Peyser, 251 N.J. Super. 256, 263-264 (App. Div. 1991); Venner v. Allstate, 306 N.J. Super. 106, 111 (App. Div. 1997); State (County of Bergen) v. Polanca, 332 N.J. Super.. 436, 441 (App. Div.), certif. den. 165 N.J. 604 (2000); Jameson v. Great Atlantic, 363 N.J. Super. 419, 427 (App. Div. 2003), certif.. den. 179 N.J. 309 (2004); Higgins v. Thurber, 413 N.J. Super. 1, 21 n.1 (App. Div. 2010). 

Additionally, “The requirements of the rule also are not met by affidavits containing arguments, other forms of hearsay and general factual or legal conclusions.”  Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, comment 1 on R. 1:6-6 at 87 (2011).  See also N.J.R.E. 801 – 808.

Hope this helps, I've had this issue on multiple occasions and the Judges have always disregarded the Attorney's Certifications.  

------------------------------
Gregory Thomlison Esq.
Toms River NJ
(732)736-8100
------------------------------


Original Message:
Sent: 07-09-2015 10:54
From: Eric Hannum
Subject: Certification of Counsel not Client in Motion

Hello list mates,

Received an Enforcement Motion this morning but the attorney drafted and signed the Certification and not her client.  I recall having this happen once before in the past but cannot recall if permitted.  The attorney also captioned the Certification as a "Certification in Lieu of Brief."  Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. 

Best,

Eric

------------------------------
Eric Hannum Esq.
Jackson NJ
(732)370-9596
------------------------------

I think the answer depends upon the information contained in the Cert.  If the info contained in the Cert is within the attorney's personal knowledge (such as in a discovery motion where atty has personal knowledge of service of discovery, follow-up letters, etc.), then the attorney could submit his own Cert.

If the info contained in the Cert is not within the atty's personal knowledge, then it is improper.
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Blake Rush Esq.
Easton PA
(610)258-4003
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-09-2015 11:09
From: Gregory Thomlison
Subject: Certification of Counsel not Client in Motion

Eric,

This is not permitted.  See Rule 1:6-6.  The comments state, "Affidavits by attorneys of facts not based on their personal knowledge but related to them by and within the primary knowledge of their clients constitute objectionable hearsay."  Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, comment 1 on R. 1:6-6 at 87 (2011), citing Murray v. Allstate Ins. Co., 209 N.J. Super. 163, 169 (App. Div. 1986); Cafferata v. Peyser, 251 N.J. Super. 256, 263-264 (App. Div. 1991); Venner v. Allstate, 306 N.J. Super. 106, 111 (App. Div. 1997); State (County of Bergen) v. Polanca, 332 N.J. Super.. 436, 441 (App. Div.), certif. den. 165 N.J. 604 (2000); Jameson v. Great Atlantic, 363 N.J. Super. 419, 427 (App. Div. 2003), certif.. den. 179 N.J. 309 (2004); Higgins v. Thurber, 413 N.J. Super. 1, 21 n.1 (App. Div. 2010). 

Additionally, “The requirements of the rule also are not met by affidavits containing arguments, other forms of hearsay and general factual or legal conclusions.”  Pressler & Verniero, Current N.J. Court Rules, comment 1 on R. 1:6-6 at 87 (2011).  See also N.J.R.E. 801 – 808.

Hope this helps, I've had this issue on multiple occasions and the Judges have always disregarded the Attorney's Certifications.  

------------------------------
Gregory Thomlison Esq.
Toms River NJ
(732)736-8100
------------------------------